What Happens If You Give Your Cat Dewormer Without Worms?
As responsible pet owners, we often take proactive steps to ensure the health of our feline companions. But what if you give your cat a dewormer like Profender and they don’t have worms? Understanding the effects, risks, and proper usage of dewormers is crucial in maintaining optimal pet health.
Understanding Profender and Its Usage
Profender is a prescription topical solution combining emodepside and praziquantel for treating and controlling common intestinal parasites in cats, including:
- Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme)
- Roundworms (Toxocara cati)
- Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis)
It is applied topically and is designed for cats that are at least 8 weeks old and weigh 2.2 lbs (1 kg) or more. The medication comes in tubes sized according to your cat’s weight to ensure proper dosing.
Is It Harmful to Deworm a Cat Unnecessarily?
If a healthy cat without worms is given a single dose of Profender as per prescribed weight, the risk of harm is minimal. However, unnecessary deworming may expose your pet to side effects without any therapeutic benefit.
Possible side effects include:
- Excessive grooming or licking
- Scratching at application site
- Temporary salivation or vomiting if ingested orally
- Agitation or lethargy
- Mild hair loss at application site
These reactions are typically self-limiting and resolve without veterinary intervention. Still, repeated or unnecessary exposure may increase the chance of more pronounced irritation or systemic effects, especially in sensitive cats.
Guidelines for Proper Deworming
It's important to follow veterinary guidance before administering any treatments:
- Regular fecal exams: Annual fecal tests help determine if treatment is necessary.
- Vet consultation: Seek advice before using prescription medications, particularly for cats with underlying health conditions.
- Accurate dosing: Always select the appropriate Profender tube based on cat's weight.
Why Deworming Without Need Isn’t Recommended
Though Profender is generally safe, overtreatment is inefficient and can lead to:
- Unwanted side effects: No medication is without risk, and unnecessary exposure should be avoided.
- Stress for the cat: Application or resultant side effects can be uncomfortable.
- Resistance risk (in general): Overuse of antiparasitic medications can contribute to resistance over time.
Precautions and Warnings
When using Profender, it’s important to observe the following:
- Do not apply to wet or damaged skin
- Prevent ingestion by separating pets and monitoring licking behavior
- Keep the product out of reach of children
- Avoid use on kittens under 8 weeks or weighing less than 2.2 lbs
- Pregnant women should avoid direct contact with the medication
Special caution should be taken in sick, debilitated, or heartworm-positive cats. In studies, Profender-treated cats with heartworm had fewer parasites than untreated controls, but consultation is advised.
Storage and Administration
Store Profender below 77°F (25°C) and protect from freezing. Application steps include:
- Use the right dosage tube per weight category
- Twist the seal using the cap, part hair at the base of the neck
- Apply entire contents directly onto visible skin
- Keep cat from licking the area for at least one hour
Benefits of Profender
Profender stands out among deworming solutions for its ease of administration and broad-spectrum efficacy. It treats various stages of parasites—from larval to adult—offering thorough protection with a single dose. Being topical, it eliminates the need for stressful pill administration.
In addition, treating cats with Profender reduces the zoonotic risk—parasitae transmission from pets to humans, which is especially critical in households with children.
When To Re-Treat
One Profender dose is usually sufficient. However, if re-infection occurs due to environmental exposure (e.g., hunting or contaminated environments), re-treatment is safe after 30 days.
Conclusion
Administering Profender to a cat that doesn’t have worms is unlikely to cause significant harm when used properly. However, it's not recommended as a routine action unless indicated by a vet. A proactive but informed approach, including regular veterinary checkups and fecal tests, ensures your cat gets the right care when it’s truly needed. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pet’s health.
